Esteghlal, Sepahan match is title decider, Kranjcar says

Tehran Times – TEHRAN, Coach Zlatko Kranjcar has labeled Esteghlal, Sepahan match as the most important game of the Iranian Professional League (IPL), saying the match could be a “title decider”.

With three weeks remaining, leader Esteghlal will host Sepahan in Tehran’s Azadi Stadium on Monday.

Esteghlal could move four points clear of its rival if the team beats Sepahan at home.

“Esteghlal, Sepahan match is a very important. A decider really,” said Sepahan coach Kranjcar on Sunday during the pre-match news conference in Tehran. “We will do our best to defeat Esteghlal. At least, we are not allowed to lose this important match.”

Sepahan lost to Al-Ahlai of Saudi Arabia 4-1 in group stage of the AFC Champions League last week; however, the Croat said that they’ve forgotten the heavy loss.

“Sepahan is ready to face Esteghlal. We are going to play Esteghlal as we played them in Iran’s Hazfi Cup and eliminated them at the Azadi Stadium in late March,” he concluded.